Early Childhood Education

Be part of an innovative qualification

The Graduate Diploma of Learning and Teaching embodies a new vision for the future of teacher education. Youll gain from robust, specialised curriculum and teaching knowledge that is critical for graduates preparing to enter different types of teaching environments. The qualification also represents Massey Universitys commitment to becoming a Tiriti-led university.

Learn from the best

Youll work with nationally and internationally esteemed practitioners and researchers. You can expect a teaching and learning environment that will enable you to learn how to contribute positively towards your students and society.

Youll also gain specific knowledge in early childhood education.

Study in a highly supportive environment

The qualification includes regular contact with the teaching team and mentors. Youll be supported in your professional and personal journey to becoming a teacher in Aotearoa. Youll be learning with and alongside a great group of peers in a collaborative learning environment that recognises your and your classmates individual strengths.

Gain professional experience

In addition to regular coursework (face to face and/or distance) you will spend 16 weeks in specialisation-relevant education settings. This is where youll develop and refine your professional skills alongside our supportive associate teachers and mentors. Youll have an opportunity to engage with tamariki, educators and whÄnau in a professional setting where youll be able to take on increasing elements of the teaching role in preparation for your entry into the profession.

Further study

Massey offers a range of further exciting study options in education, such as specialist teaching, educational leadership, counselling and psychology.

Distance learning option

The ECE endorsement is offered via distance learning only. We do still require you to be in New Zealand for the duration of the qualification. The qualification and practicum placements within it are relevant to the New Zealand curriculum and hence must be done within New Zealand in accordance with Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand requirements. Also, as practical and theoretical courses are intertwined you cannot do the theory/pedagogy courses first and then return to do the practical courses at a later date.

Distance students are required to attend compulsory contact workshops. Details below.

Blended learning

Blended learning is a hallmark of this qualification. Course work is grounded in demonstration and application of teaching performance. Problem-solving approaches to learning are emphasised.

Contact workshops

All students (full-time and part-time) are required to attend 10 days of compulsory on-campus contact workshops/wÄnanga during the qualification. These are organised into two five-day wÄnanga – WÄnanga 1 in February, WÄnanga 2 in June/July. A two-day noho marae is included in WÄnanga 1.

Full-time students will attend both WÄnanga 1 and WÄnanga 2 during the year. First-year part-time students will attend WÄnanga 1 only. Second-year part-time students will attend WÄnanga 2 only.

WÄnanga are offered on both the Auckland and ManawatÅ« campuses, and you can choose which campus to attend.

Professional practice

The two professional practice courses include a total of 16 weeks of professional experience in education settings. You will complete eight weeks of placement in Semester 1 and seven weeks in a different education setting in Semester 2. In addition you will complete an extra five days of targeted professional experience to support individual professional growth.

Where possible you will undertake practica in your local area/community, however you may be required to travel up to one hour for practicum placements.

Organising travel for practicum placements is your responsibility.

Start/end dates 2023

This is an intensive qualification that runs across an extended academic year. Semester dates and breaks in this qualification do not always align with other Massey qualifications, or with school holidays.

• Semester 1: Start 23 January 2023 - Ends 30 June 2023
• Semester 2: Start 17 July 2023 - Ends 24 November 2023

Semester break dates 2023

• Semester One:
  • Study Week: 10-14 April
  • Mid-semester Break: 17-21 April
  • Mid-year Break (between semesters): 3-14 July
• Semester Two:
  • Study Week: 25-29 September
  • Mid-semester Break: 2-6 October 

Contact workshop dates for 2023:

WÄnanga 1: February

• Auckland: 13-17 February
  Full-time and first year part-time students 
  (Noho Marae 13-14 February)
• Online: 13-17 February
  Full-time and first year part-time students

WÄnanga 2: June/July

• ManawatÅ«: 26-30 June
  Full-time and second year part-time students
• Online: 26-30 June
  Full-time and second year part-time students 

Practicum dates 2023

Full-time Students

• Practicum 1a:  Monday 13 March - Friday 7 April
• Practicum 1b: Monday 1 May - Friday 26 May
• Practicum 2: Monday 28 August - Friday 22 September AND Monday 9 October - Friday 27 October

Part-time students – Year One

• Practicum 1a: Monday 1 May - Friday 26 May
• Practicum 1b: Monday 28 August - Friday 22 September

Part-time students – Year Two

• Practicum 2: Monday 28 August - Friday 22 September AND Monday 9 October - Friday 27 October.

If you are studying part-time here is your study plan

Part-time Year 1

263400 Learning and Teaching 1 (15 credits)

265410 Professional Practice 1 (ECE) (30 credits)

265412 Curriculum and Pedagogy A (ECE) (30 credits)

Part-time Year 2

263401 Learning and Teaching 2 (15 credits)

265411 Professional Practice 2 (ECE) (30 credits)

265413 Curriculum and Pedagogy B (ECE) (30 credits).

Official regulations

To understand what you need to study and must complete to graduate read the official rules and regulations for this qualification.

You should read these together with all other relevant Statutes and Regulations of the University including the General Regulations for Undergraduate Degrees, Undergraduate Diplomas, Undergraduate Certificates, Graduate Diplomas and Graduate Certificates.

Returning students

For returning students, there may be changes to the majors and minors available and the courses you need to take. Go to the section called ‘Transitional Provisions’ in the Regulations to find out more.

In some cases the qualification or specialisation you enrolled in may no longer be taking new enrolments, so may not appear on these web pages. To find information on the regulations for these qualifications go to the Massey University Calendar.

Please contact us through the Get advice button on this page if you have any questions.

Admission to Massey

All students must meet university entrance requirements to be admitted to the University.

• Massey University entry requirements

Specific requirements

This is a selected entry qualification . This means there are a number of extra requirements you must meet. 

To enter the Graduate Diploma of Learning and Teaching you will have:

• been awarded or qualified for a bachelor's degree of at least 360 credits, or equivalent
• demonstrated competence in literacy and numeracy as set down by the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand
• achieved an Academic IELTS score of at least 7.0 with no band less than 7.0 or approved equivalent within the preceding two years, unless you hold New Zealand University Entrance Level 2 literacy credits or higher, or Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand recognised equivalent qualification(s) and/or schooling
• met the requirements for registration as set down by the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand, in terms of values, disposition and fitness to teach.

You will need to provide the following documents: 

• verified copies of all academic transcripts for studies taken at all universities other than Massey University
• a copy of your current curriculum vitae
• a supporting statement
• A consent to disclosure of information for a New Zealand Police check.  Please provide two pieces of verified identification (one of which must be photographic). See more details below about safety checks
• A copy of a police report from every overseas country you have lived in for more than 12 months in the last 10 years. Please do not supply originals as these will need to be supplied to the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand at a later date
• a health and disability declaration
• evidence of English language competency as outlined by the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand, which may include an Academic IELTS test or recognised equivalent - if English is not your first language (see requirements below)
• an NZQA International Qualifications Assessment - if you have an overseas qualification
• contact details of two referees - one character referee and one professional referee.

If the selection committee feel you potentially meet the values, disposition and fitness to teach criteria, you may be invited to an interview. This is the second part of the selection process.

Application closing date

Applications close 30 November, for study the following year. Late applications will only be accepted in exceptional circumstances and at the discretion of the specialisation coordinator.

All documentation needs to be provided prior to the closing date for applications.

There is only one intake at the start of each year, but applications are open throughout the year for future intakes.

About referees

Referees need to be able to provide informed responses on your personal suitability for the qualification. A referee should be someone who has known you for one year or more in the capacity of employer, educator, work colleague or person of community standing, ie kaumatua, Minister or similar. Your referee should not be a friend, flatmate, relative or someone who has not known you for at least a year. The information your referee supplies is confidential to those involved in the selection process.

Curriculum vitae

Please provide a full CV including details for at least the last five years and include brief details on recent formal and/or informal experiences and/or involvement in the following areas: experience with children/young adults; proficiency in languages; community activities; school activities; sport, music, drama, art, travel, teaching/coaching and outdoor education. Please also include experiences in bi-cultural, multi-cultural and diverse contexts and settings.

Supporting statement

Please supply a statement outlining why you wish to pursue a teaching qualification in your selected endorsement. Tell us about the strengths and dispositions that you would bring to this teaching qualification. For Secondary endorsement applicants, please indicate your preferred teaching subjects and the qualification/experience you bring in these domains.

Safety checks and disclosure of criminal convictions

You will be required to undergo a number of safety checks. This includes police vetting (including confirmation of identity) and further checks required under the Vulnerable Children Act 2014, Vulnerable Children Regulations 2015 and the Children’s Action Plan. You will be required to permit Massey University to ask the New Zealand Police to disclose any information held on the Police record system.

Health and disability declaration

Please indicate if you have any short or long-term disability (including learning disability), impairment, injury or physical/mental health condition. If you disclose any disability, health or personal information as part of your application, this will be discussed with you at interview and considered in accordance with Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand requirements. The information supplied is confidential to the University staff processing your application.

English language competency requirement

Evidence of English language competency, as outlined by the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand, is required for all applicants. In most cases, your academic background and schooling will provide this evidence.

If English, or Te Reo MÄori, is not your first language, you may need to provide further evidence of competency. This may include provision of a verified copy of Academic IELTS test results, undertaken within the preceding two years, with a score of at least 7.0 or higher in all components; or the verified results of an approved equivalent English language qualification. Find out more on the TCANZ site:

• Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand

Qualifications from overseas

If you have qualifications obtained overseas you must get these assessed by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) to determine comparability with New Zealand qualifications. This NZQA International Qualifications Assessment must be provided at the time of applying for this  qualification. NZQA Assessments older than three (3) years at the time of applying may not be accepted. If this applies to you, please contact NZQA, Qualification Review Service requesting a review of the original assessment notes. They will inform you if you need to re-apply to NZQA. NZQA accreditation can take up to 35 working days.

• Information on applying to NZQA

About the selection process

The Graduate Diploma of Learning and Teaching at Massey University requires students to be selected into the qualification. Selection and the subsequent offer of a place, is determined by the information submitted in the application process and the interview process.

The first part of the selection process involves assessment of application documents by academic staff within the Institute of Education.

If you meet the initial entry requirements, you will be invited to meet with a selection panel. This is the second part of the selection process. Conversations with the panel are held face-to-face or via video conference. You will be advised of the date and time of this meeting along with other important information. You are welcome to have whÄnau or support people present if you choose.

The selection process focuses on the following criteria as outlined in The Code of Professional Responsibility in Our Code Our Standards:

• Commitment to the Teaching Profession
• Commitment to Learners
• Commitment to Families and WhÄnau
• Commitment to Society

Before meeting with the selection panel you will be sent details of a number of preparatory tasks. These will include the submission of a piece of writing in response to a given education-related scenario and a short numeracy test. You will also be provided with suggestions of documents to engage with (such as the New Zealand Curriculum, Te WhÄriki, Our Code Our Standards) and encouraged, where possible, to visit a school or centre in your chosen endorsement to observe teaching and learning.

If the selection panel is satisfied that you demonstrate readiness to undertake the Graduate Diploma of Learning and Teaching qualification and you meet the entry and admission criteria into the University you will be sent an Offer of Place.

Once you have accepted your Offer of Place you can apply for courses. When your application for enrolment in your courses is approved, you will receive an Offer of Enrolment notification that you will need to accept. The Offer of Enrolment will contain information about fees and may have conditions on it. Once you accept your Offer of Enrolment you will be enrolled and will receive a Confirmation of Enrolment notification if you have no outstanding conditions i.e. pending completion of your degree.

If you are not offered a place in the qualification, you may like to contact us through the Get advice button on this page to discuss other qualifications.

Prior learning, credit and exemptions

Unfortunately no credit can be granted towards the Graduate Diploma of Learning and Teaching (Early Childhood Education) due to the specialised nature of this qualification.

English language skills

If you need help with your English language skills before you start university, see our English for Academic Purposes (EAP) courses.

Can't meet the entry requirements?

If you need to do a course before you start your qualification, there may be options for you in Summer School.

• Summer School

Become a registered and certificated teacher

When you graduate from the Graduate Diploma of Learning and Teaching you will be eligible to apply for teacher registration and provisional certification with the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand. As a provisionally certificated teacher, you’ll be qualified to teach in kindergartens and early childhood settings.

Join our successful graduates

Massey University prides itself on the success rate of its graduates in winning jobs as teachers at the conclusion of their initial teacher education qualification.

Other opportunities

A career in teaching can open many other doors in education – it is a great starting point.